Chrystalla Thoma's Blog, page 2
April 29, 2014
Cover Reveal for TEMPTED (A BirthRight Novel #2) by Brandi Leigh Hall
Sweet NA Paranormal Romance
by Brandi Leigh Hall
Release Date: May 27, 2014
What if the very thing to save you—is the one thing beyond your reach?
Torn between the two men who have fallen for her—and the evil who wants to possess her—twenty-year-old Chloe Bishop can no longer remember the fatal vision which threatens her future happiness. But when the magical link is severed between Chloe and her Wiccan family, they must find a way to save her before temptation leads her into darkness—and into the welcoming arms of Mr. Wrong.
After nearly a decade working in NYC (Marketing & PR), Brandi moved back to central PA to be closer to her mother. Although she still works in the same field, a less chaotic life away from the city has given Brandi the freedom to fulfill her childhood dream of writing a novel. In no time at all, that single young adult book turned into an entire series — along with four additional series’ she has planned over the next few years.
Growing up in a haunted house inspired Brandi’s fascination with the paranormal, so it only made sense that she’d write Urban Fantasy for both teens and adults.
Brandi’s an active member of the Romance Writers of America (RWA), Fantasy, Futuristic & Paranormal (FF&P), Young Adult Romance Writers of America (YARWA) and Society of Children’s Book Writers and Illustrators (SCBWI).
Add it on Goodreads!!
Link: https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/20486768-tempted
April 22, 2014
ELECTED Release Day!
Today is my stop on the blog tour for ELECTED by Rori Shay! This is one book you don’t want to miss and is out TODAY! The kickstarter to this book is available athttp://tinyurl.com/ElectedNovel. You will be able to get a copy of ELECTED in hardcover and/or paperback with a free ebook, a lot of special limited-edition items and other free books. Don’t wait, get your copy today! Then tell us how you liked it!
Scroll to the bottom for excerpts from the book!!!
ELECTED by Rori Shay
Silence in the Library Publishing
YA Sci-fi
April 22, 2014
Blurb:
It’s the year 2185, and in two weeks, Aloy will turn eighteen and take her father’s place as president of the country. But to do so, she must masquerade as a boy to avoid violating the Eco-Accords, four treaties designed to bring the world back from the brink of environmental extinction. Aloy hopes to govern like her father, but she is inheriting a different country. The long concealed Technology Faction is stepping out of the shadows, and as turmoil grows within her country, cryptic threats also arrive from beyond the borders.
As she struggles to lead, Aloy maintains her cover by marrying a woman, meanwhile battling feelings for the boy who knows her secret – the boy who is somehow connected to her country’s recent upheaval. When assassination attempts add to the turmoil, Aloy doesn’t know whom to trust. She understood leadership required sacrifice. She just didn’t realize the sacrifice might be her life.
Author Bio:
Rori Shay is an author living in the Washington, DC area with her husband, daughters, black lab, and cat – just not quite in the same exciting circumstances as ELECTED’s main character, Aloy. She enjoys running, gardening, reading, doing yoga, and volunteering with the Dwelling Place non-profit. Rori is a member of the Society of Children’s Book Writers and Illustrators (SCBWI).
Social Media:
Don’t forget to enter the giveaway!
~Kindle
~Items seen in ELECTED such as a marriage binding (temporary tattoo)
~Hemlock soap
~Necklace as seen in ELECTED
~Signed paperback copy of ELECTED
~Optional FaceTime or Skype session with the author for 1/2 an hour (can be used one-on-one or at the winner’s book club, etc.)
a Rafflecopter giveaway">Rafflecopter click to enter the giveaway!
Excerpts from Election:
As if he can read my thoughts, Griffin says, “I know what you are.”
And before I can even think about the consequences of my actions, anger overtakes me. What I’ve hidden for so long and been so careful to keep secret is now in the hands of this impudent intruder?
I’m up out of my seat and running at him before I realize what I’m doing. I knock him forward, pushing with both my hands flat against his back.
He’s surprised and falls forward, losing his balance.
In this moment, I look around the room for some more dangerous weapon than my two hands. My knife is too far. I find what I’m looking for on the wall to my right. One of my fencing swords. I grab it off its decorative shelf and get in an offensive stance, right foot forward at an angle.
As Griffin regains his balance and faces me, I hold my stance, looking him fiercely in the eyes. He doesn’t say anything, but I see him scan the room fast. I lunge at him, but I’m a second too slow. He’s already run to my left and grabbed a wooden cane I’ve been carving. It’s now the wood cane against my steel sword. I’ve been fencing since I was seven, so I’m quick. I should be able to take him out easily.
I don’t mean to really hurt him, just push him back out of my room, get my anger out. But Griffin is stronger than I expect. We’re fighting, wood to steel, clashing in the air, the sword making gashes in the softer wood.
I jump back over furniture, toppling pieces as we both fly around the room. We’re both spinning, checking each other’s advances. Griffin surprises me, putting up a fight matching mine. I’ve received expert training, but who taught him to fight so well?
Griffin backs up against my door, but I can’t let him escape. Unless I win the fight, he could run out that door and tell the world my secret. My family’s future could come crashing down around me in an instant.
I push forward with more heat. We’re up close now, our weapons right at each other’s faces. I can hear his grunts through my own yells.
All at once his cane swings out at me, but not where I expect it to go. He doesn’t aim for my sword. He aims for my feet, knocking me off balance onto my back. My sword clatters to the ground in the onslaught, and before I know it he’s on top of me. I’m punching and pushing back at him, and we’re in a fist fight, rolling on the ground. I don’t easily give up, but he’s got a few muscular pounds on me.
I’m furious, kicking and shouting at him. In between our wrestling, he spurts out, “It’s your secret. Not mine.” He’s out of breath from our fight, so he has trouble getting the words out. “I’m not planning to tell anyone.”
While he’s trying to get the words out of his mouth, I take the opportunity to push harder. I end up on top of him and pin his arms above his head. He goes slack, letting me hold him there.
“You’re a girl,” he says, serious and amused at the same time.
“You have no evidence!”
He juts his chin out, pointing to my torso. His eyes are mischievous. I look down at what he’s pointing to.
And then I realize.
The shirt I’d been sleeping in has lost a few buttons. It hangs open and ragged off my torso. Immediately, I let go of Griffin’s arms and instinctively grasp around my chest for my bindings.
But I’m too late.
A milky white breast hangs out of the wrappings, announcing my secret loud and clear.
~~~~
I see my opportunity to ask the very thing that’s been on the tip of my tongue for months. Something I know my parents won’t answer but that Tomlin might—if for no other reason than to further my education. “The Ship Accord didn’t stop everyone, though.” I know I’m bringing up something painful.
“You’re right.” Tomlin looks down.
“My brother.” I lean forward in my chair, expectant for some new tidbit of information from Tomlin. “What happened to him?” I am unwavering with my request for information on Evan.
“We don’t know.” Tomlin’s sadness is apparent.
“You were his tutor, right? What was he like? Would he have made a better Elected than me?” I’ve always wondered if Evan would have been better suited for the role than I. I know the answer must be yes since he was the true Elected, the only male heir of the family. Only men are allowed to be the Elected since women must focus on repopulation. But my parents and Tomlin encourage me to have more confidence. They have to, I guess, since they have no other choice. I’m their only option left.
I know Tomlin doesn’t enjoy talking about my brother. No one does. Evan was everyone’s pride and joy until he ran away. But I never knew him at all. My parents had me as a hurried attempt for another child after Evan disappeared.
I keep pressing Tomlin for other information, knowing I won’t get an answer about Evan’s character. “How does everyone know Evan escaped via boat? How did he even find a ship to get away? I thought my grandfather destroyed all of them.” I see Tomlin cringe at my word ‘escaped’, and I chide myself that I’ve yet again made the Elected role sound like a prison sentence.
“As far as anyone knew, they were all dismantled, the parts used for building materials.” Tomlin rakes a hand through the thin wisps of his hair.
“So how’d Evan get one?” I am relentless. “And how’d he get it past Apa?” I can’t imagine how Evan managed to plan such an elaborate departure under my father’s tight scrutiny.
“Enough.” Tomlin’s tone is harsh but quiet. I know he can’t be budged when he doesn’t want to proceed. “We need to keep going with your studies. The public will expect you to be well-trained when you take office.”
“Okay, just one more question?” I ask, looking at my fingernails. They are perfect half-moons except for the two pinkies on whose nails I obsessively gnaw. As I get nearer to the date of my inauguration, the two nails seem to get shorter and shorter.
“One more, then we go on. But it must do with the Accords.”
“It does. Sort of. What do other countries do with people who make it through the sea to their lands?”
I can’t look at Tomlin while I wait for the answer. It’s something I already know in my heart, but I want to hear it out loud.
Finally, Tomlin answers, his voice a mere whisper. “What would we do?”
I stretch my palm out so I’m playing with my fingers instead of concentrating fully on my own words. I almost don’t want to hear them—don’t want to hear what might have happened to Evan.
“We use hemlock.”
April 9, 2014
LONDON FALLING Cover Reveal (NA romance)
July 7th, 2014
Harlequin HQN (Digital First)
New Adult Contemporary Romance
BOOK SUMMARY:
We weren’t a relationship, we were a ticking time bomb…
Maggie Carpenter walked away from the hottest encounter of her life when she left the seductive glitz of England for summer break in her South Carolina hometown. Now that she’s returned to the International School in London—and sexy, privileged Samir Khouri is once again close enough to touch—she can’t help but remember the attraction, the drama … the heartbreak.
She can’t help but want him even more.
Samir can’t afford to fall for someone so far removed from his world, not when his time in London is running out. It’s his senior year—his last chance at freedom before he returns home to Lebanon. There, he’ll be expected to follow in his father’s footsteps—not follow his heart to Maggie. But when a scorching secret hookup becomes a temptation neither can resist, they’ll both have to fight to survive the consequences … and find a future together.
Don’t miss this explosive sequel to I See London, and the riveting conclusion to Maggie and Samir’s story. This is a New Adult romance recommended for readers 17 and up.
Goodreads link:https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/20490480-london-falling
I SEE LONDON (Book #1)
Book Order Links:
Amazon: http://amzn.to/1cQXjYm
Barnes & Noble: http://bit.ly/1khLGx1
iTunes: http://bit.ly/1ewcogY
LONDON FALLING PRE-ORDER LINK:
Amazon: http://amzn.to/1jX3Sfl
Author Information
Originally a Florida girl, at seventeen Chanel Cleeton moved to London to attend an international university. In the four years that followed, she received her bachelor’s and master’s degrees, learned how to dance, travelled through Europe, and made lifelong friendships. Chanel fell in love with London and planned to stay there forever. But fate intervened on a Caribbean cruise, when an American fighter pilot with smooth dance moves, swept her off her feet.
Now, a happily ever after later, Chanel is living her next adventure in South Korea. An avid reader and hopeless romantic, she is happiest curled up with a book. She has a weakness for handbags, puppy cuddles, and her fighter pilot husband.
Chanel is the author of the New Adult books I See London and London Falling with Harlequin HQN. Learn more about her on her website at www.chanelcleeton.com. Keep up with Chanel’s latest news, book giveaways, and more on her monthly newsletter at http://www.chanelcleeton.com/mailing-list/.
Author Links:
Website: www.chanelcleeton.com
Facebook: www.facebook.com/authorchanelcleeton
Twitter: www.twitter.com/chanelcleeton
Goodreads: www.goodreads.com/chanelcleeton
March 11, 2014
New release: The Weave (Episode 5 of Boreal and John Grey Season II)
Celebrating the release of The Weave (episode 5 – Boreal and John Grey II).
Summary: Finn’s memories have returned and his power is growing – something that must be kept secret from Dave. While Finn learns to control his power, the world tries to control him. Humans, elves, friends and foes, all want a piece of John Grey, dead or alive.
Meanwhile, Ella’s powers are also growing, in new and unexpected ways, and she needs to master them fast. The game is going to the next level, and Finn’s pessimistic predictions begin to make sense.
But Ella doesn’t believe in fate. She won’t let anyone take Finn, or the world; not on her shift. She will do what she has to do:
Be the Stabilizer the world has been waiting for and kick some serious ass…
Where to find it?
Have fun!
February 27, 2014
Cover reveal for “The Year We Fell Down” (New Adult Romance)
She expected to start Harkness College as a varsity ice hockey player. But a serious accident means that Corey Callahan will start school in a wheelchair instead.
Across the hall, in the other handicapped-accessible dorm room, lives the too-delicious-to-be real Adam Hartley, another would-be hockey star with his leg broken in two places. He’s way out of Corey’s league.
Also, he’s taken.
Nevertheless, an unlikely alliance blooms between Corey and Hartley in the “gimp ghetto” of McHerrin Hall. Over tequila, perilously balanced dining hall trays, and video games, the two cope with disappointments that nobody else can quite understand.
They’re just friends, of course, until one night when things fall apart. Or fall together. All Corey knows is that she’s falling. Hard.
But will Hartley set aside his trophy girl to love someone as broken as Corey? If he won’t, she will need to find the courage to make a life for herself at Harkness — one which does not revolve around the sport she can no longer play, or the brown-eyed boy who’s afraid to love her back.
Warm, funny, and often heartbreaking, The Year We Fell Down is New Adult contemporary romance. Contains: hot hockey players, too many pairs of crutches, gallows humor, Princess Bride references, and a slightly outrageous vibrator scene. (Sexual situations make the book suitable for ages 18+.)
The expected publication date is Monday, March 17th, 2014, on all of your favorite e-book websites.
Sarina Bowen writes contemporary romance and new adult fiction from the Green Mountains of Vermont. She lives with her husband, two children, eight chickens and an unwieldy pile of ski and hockey equipment.
February 14, 2014
Valentine story (freebie) in the world of Boreal and John Grey
Hey guys. I am currently writing episode 5 in the second season of Boreal and John Grey, and I thought to give you a little interlude with Finn and Ella in honor of Valentine’s Day. It’s a short story about memories and love and fear – and I promise this time no gore and blood and fighting… I hope you like it!
You will find the file in the link underneath the picture below. Let me know if you have any problem downloading it. It’s a PDF as this is the only format wordpress will let me upload.
The story is also available on amazon, but I’m not posting the link not to confuse you.
So… here you go. Happy Valentine’s. Have a great day and happy reading. 
February 10, 2014
New release: The Loop – Episode 4 (Boreal and John Grey Season II)
Hi guys. This will be a brief post, just to announce the release of The Loop – Episode 4 (Boreal and John Grey Season II)
Summary:
You know you’ve reached your lowest low when you turn to your enemy for help — who also happens to be your boss and servant of the Dark Elves. But Ella can see no other choice as massive Gates open, the Shades attack from all sides, and Finn’s nightmares reveal a past darker than she’d ever thought possible.
But when the enemy is the only one with answers, Ella will do what she must to save Finn, and possibly, the world.
I hope you are enjoying Boreal and John Grey.
I am also preparing a short Valentine Day’s story for you with Ella and Finn, so stay tuned. 
January 24, 2014
Cover reveal for Dissension by author Katie Salidas
For those of us who like dystopian fiction and vampires:
Dissension – Chronicles of the Uprising: Book 1
Cover reveal
(projected book release: 11 Febr 2014)
The great cataclysm wiped almost all life from the face of planet Earth, but tiny pockets of survivors crawled from the ashes, with only one thought: survival, at any cost.
But not all survivors were human.
In the dark, militant society that has risen in the aftermath, vampires, once thought to be mythical, have been assimilated and enslaved. Used for blood sport their lives are allowed to continue only for the entertainment of the masses. Reviled as savages, they are destined to serve out their immortal lives in the arena, as gladiators.
And there is no greater gladiator than Mira: undefeated, uncompromising…and seemingly unbreakable. When an escape attempt leads Mira into the path of Lucian Stavros, the city’s Regent, her destiny is changed forever.
Lucian, raised in a culture which both reviles and celebrates the savagery and inhumanity of vampires, finds Mira as intriguing as she is brash. An impulsive decision – to become Mira’s patron – changes more than just Lucian’s perception about vampire kind. The course of his life is altered in ways he could never have predicted – a life that is suddenly as expendable as hers.
Can Mira prove to Lucian that all is not as it seems? Can Lucian escape centuries of lies, bloodshed, and propaganda to see the truth? Or will the supreme power of the human overlords destroy them both?
EXCERPT
Dissension – Sample/Excerpt 1
©Katie Salidas 2014
Rising Sign Books LLC
The roar of the crowd, all twenty-five-thousand people in attendance, rose to a thundering crescendo when Mira delivered a bone-crunching blow to her opponent’s ribs. Standing only five feet tall, she might not have appeared a formidable warrior, but the thin, spiky-haired waif of a vampire could hold her weight and more when put to the test. Amplified by the superb acoustics, the sound of bones cracking echoed through the Superdome arena. The defeated, a red-headed male vampire staggered, punch-drunk, and then dropped to his knees. Dirt and sweat coated his face but could not mask the fear in his icy blue eyes. His was a look Mira had seen so many times before. Her opponent’s immortal life had finally come to an end, and he was ready to take the final deadly blow.
Above her, Mira knew the fifty-foot mega screen showed her hapless victim in brilliant resolution, ensuring that all who were attending, and those watching from the comfort of their homes, could see these last gruesome moments in crystal clear high-definition.
Mira gazed down at her opponent’s blood-soaked face. Though he was her enemy for the moment, she did not relish having to end him. No one should be forced into the arena and told to kill or be killed. It wasn’t right. But it was what was demanded of her, and given the choice between her life and someone else’s… well, there really was no choice. No matter the cost, Mira was a survivor.
She glanced up to the large private box overlooking the arena. A well-dressed man in deep-purple robes sat, enjoying what appeared to be a dinner of filet mignon and roast potatoes. Even here, in the dusty arena below, Mira’s enhanced senses picked up the tantalizing scent of very rare, bloody steak. She could hardly believe that a human could not only watch the murder about to take place, but also sit and eat the dead flesh of a once-living being while doing it. From the smell of it, the poor beast was practically still bleeding on his plate. Who was truly the more savage creature?
Over the crowd’s roar, an announcer introduced the well-dressed man, Lucian Stavros, Regent of the Iron Gate. Lucian gently and purposefully slowly set down his knife and fork. He took another moment to wipe his face clean and then smiled, acknowledging the roaring crowd.
Chants of “Death, death, death,” rang out from the throng as a single unified demand.
The Regent listened for a moment, making a show of putting his hands to his ears to hear screaming hoard’s request, and then held a hand out, with his thumb pointed to the side.
As if the next moment were the most important, the anticipating mass hushed. Eerie silence filled the arena as everyone watched for the Regent to make his decision.
From her vantage point below, Mira saw the steely look of determination cross the Regent’s face. If she didn’t know better, she might have thought he took this decision seriously; but then, he was human, and they never cared much if her kind lived or died. Lucian Stavros took a cursory glance down at Mira. Their eyes met. It was only a brief moment, but in that short time, Mira saw him waver.
Could it be true, she wondered, or was it just a trick of the light? No human actually cared about the lives of vampires. The moment faded, and the fleeting thought left.
Mira saw the Regent’s decision. He turned his thumb down. Death!
The crowd went wild.
The last hope for her defeated opponent had vanished; Mira had to finish him. “Sorry,” she whispered to the half-dead vampire on his knees before her. Though her fangs tingled at the prospect of tasting his final dying moments—her reward, if you could call it that, for living through another battle— she did not enjoy what she was about to do. Like her, he was a slave, forced into servitude to the humans as they saw fit. He had not asked for this, and neither had she. But, despite what either of them wanted, it was the will of the crowd, the humans, that had to be served.
Aiming to sever the carotid artery with her fangs, Mira dove at her opponent’s neck. His death would be quick. At least she could afford him that luxury.
Katie Salidas is a Super Woman! Endowed with special powers and abilities, beyond those of mortal women, She can get the munchkins off to gymnastics, cheerleading, Girl Scouts, and swim lessons. She can put hot food on the table for dinner while assisting with homework, baths, and bedtime… And, She still finds the time to keep the hubby happy (nudge nudge wink wink). She can do all of this and still have time to write.
And if you can believe all of those lies, there is some beautiful swamp land in Florida for sale…
Katie Salidas resides in Las Vegas, Nevada. Mother, wife, and author, she does try to do it all, often causing sleep deprivation and many nights passed out at the computer. Writing books is her passion, and she hopes that her passion will bring you hours of entertainment.
January 23, 2014
YA Fantasy Sale and Giveaway!!!
Hi guys!!
Once more I got together with other authors to offer a great sale on YA Fantasy books as well as a giveaway. All the books below are 99 cents (or free in some cases) and we have $125 in prizes for readers!! This promotion runs from Thursday 1/23 through Sat 1/25.
So it’s easy: click the link below and enter the rafflecopter giveaway with a $100 and a $25 Amazon gift card - and check out the discounted titles for good winter reads at the lowest price possible! Are you ready?
*** Click here for the rafflecopter to enter the raffle for the gift cards!!! ***
AND NOW THE DISCOUNTED BOOKS!!!!!!!!
All I can say is… Happy Reading!
January 8, 2014
The winner of the giveaway is…
… Jessica Billings. The draw was done with random.org.
Congrats, Jessica!! I will email you right now.
But since you’ve all been so nice, if you haven’t started the Boreal and John Grey series yet, drop me an email and I will send you the boxset of the first season! Yes?
Love you all! Happy reading!!
Chrys
